frankgrimes

I honestly believe some people are really overestimating the "power" of us fans. Nothing we discuss here or somewhere else will have a direct impact on this organization, we have the luxury of acting like armchair-GMs positevly as well as negatively. That being said, I love the different viewings here on this board - compared to crap like HFboards where mods/admins will ban you - if you don't agree with their viewpoint things are discussed in a very civil manner here. The best part of it all is the focus on purely one team with some nice guests and information about other teams such as the Preds fan. Holland has done a marvelous job over the years nobody is denying that but I'm questioning if he has still the fire, drive to go with a changed landscape ? Nobody other than himself can answer this question, the league has changed teams have to bring a heavy, physical game alongside skill now more than ever. One thing I did see and learn in the series against Boston is this, not only do you need to be physical you also need a smooth transistioning from the D to the offense and a goalie who will bail you out more often than not, i.e a perfect built team i.e Boston this year. Yes, they like the Wings will have some tough decisions to make thanks to the CBA but their big advantage is the grind-thing, when your team isn't purely built on skilled it's easier to fill the grinders "blue collar" spots with cheaper players or lower draft picks. So personally I expect them to be very good for at least a few more years. Don't get me wrong I like the way how some of the GR prospects are coming along but let's keep the expectations in check, nobody not even Babock thought Nyquist would be that ready so he surprised almost everyone in the organization. That being said his scoring pace was stamkoslike and I really hope people aren't going to expect that from him every season, if this guy can become a solid 20 - 25 goalscorer annually I would be extremely happy the same goes for Tatar. Another factor are the opponents, at first new players aren't seen as dangerous - unless of course you are a top 10 or whatever pick - as time goes on tthe opponents are more aware of certain players and play them harder, more focused or ice their best lines, pairings against certain players. At this point the new players has to adopt and that's also the point, where they define their own road. I did a quick look at the upcoming UFA pool and boy oh boy does that look like one meh class, NO star defenseman available and not one star winger that's just ridiculous. Nothing against guys like Niskanen - would love him here - but if he is by far the best available defenseman that's really telling. But the difference between this summer and some others is this: The coach, captain are getting antsy of just squeezing into the playoffs and I'm sure if you ask them both would rather end the streak and if it means winning cup th next or following year. I still rank Holland in the top 5 in terms of GMs but - like everyone else - he has made some mistakes and seems to be panicking more often than not (Quincey, Legwand, Kindl...) so this is also his summer to show the fans and everyone in the league that he is still the top guy or at least on pair with guys like Chiarelli, Lombardi, Poile and Shero. Bringing back Alfie would be a mistake in my mind, he doesn't add anything if you don't play him on one of the top two lines but the thing is, even Abdelkader produced as Pasha's wing that's how good the two euro twins are but expecting a 41 years old Alfredsson to carry a line might be too much to ask. If the Wings would be looking for leadership and some veteran depth adding to an already stacked roster sure re-sign him but the Wings are retooling/building on the fly so I'd rather see him having a great last year in Ottawa and get his number deservingly retired there. The needs are clear: - size, grit --> easy to acquire and not expensive so there is absolutely no excuse to not sign guys like McGrattan, Orr for a fourth line role - defense --> I cringe at the idea of signing Boyle rather have Niskanen but if we lose out on him I really don#t know who else would be a helpful edition - pure goalscorer --> many will disagree but I'd rather have Moulson (cheaper almost same production) than Vanek tl;dr - the off-season will be interesting and Kenny has a lot of capspace to play with

Man just read a few other forums from eliminated teams, if people here think we are overreacting holy cow the Blues fans are absolutely furious and losing it some are even putting guys like Backes on the table. Having said that if Army panicks and Shattenkirk will be made available Holland has to be in on this deal I'd offer Tatar + Almquist + 2nd rounder. The guy is young and would fix our defense immedeiately.

Looking at it rationally at least to me it's really simple: This is the last summer where real buyouts are allowed, if you don't use that it can hurt you. The thing with the Mule is for whatever reason he seems to not really be into it maybe he is still dealing with concussion issues, maybe it is another injury or some personal problem whatever it is, here is the problem: if the guy retries before his contract is up the Wings would be punished for a former legally contract - as an owner I would fight that in court buy anyway - with less available salary off 2 million ...that's two fourth line players I think for a bit more money he can be replaced with a guy like Moulson, who would other than Vanek leave enough room to sign a guy like Niskanen. Granted I'm not a GM but these would exactly be my thought process of course the owner has to accept the millions ist would cost so who knows.

To me it sounds like they've promoted him to assistent GM Not surprised with Rutherford stepping town, the guy just couldn't create an identity with this team and overpaid for Semin big big time.

Nothing against the Flames but I always had a big laugher when Feaster would enter the podium and make one of "his choices" and then states "well we had this guy very high on "our" list". I believe Baertschi lost confidence in himself after a certain guy named Burke slammed him via the media pretty hard. Monahan was a great pick I think this kid will someday be your next captain. Never read about this GM really surprised it wasn't a "bigger" name such as Benning or Botterill but I'm also glad you guys avoided the GMGM bomb :-)

Zetterberg is a true leader he gets it as does Babcock. Building a winner to me is more important than a streak. That means no more short-term fixes and no heavily over the hill signings (Boyle, Jagr, Brodeur...) Times have changed and the model to follow now is the Boston model, Bans said it best they are what we were in 2008.

Zetterberg is a true leader he gets it as does Babcock. Building a winner to me is more important than a streak. That means no more short-term fixes and no heavily over the hill signings (Boyle, Jagr, Brodeur...) Times have changed and the model to follow now is the Boston model, Bans said it best they are what we were in 2008.

I think so too even Babcock admitted that he gave them a chance in game 4 and 5. I would be very happy for him if he would end up as a great starter somewhere and also with re-signing him so basically a win-win :-)

this series is unreal 37 !!! goals scored. Like I said never count the Kings out they have an allworld defense and an elite goalie if Quick is on his game he won't be beaten easily.

Babcock was asked about Franzen and his expectations and basically said: he has to meet expectations so right now I wouldn't be sure about him can go either way Personally I don't think Alfie added enough for his pricetag, others may disagree but that's ok. I really like him as a player but we aren't close to a cup and that guy is all class and deserves a cup before retiring so I'd rather see him signing with a real contender and maybe get a real shot at the cup if he comes back for another season.

Disagree because you always have the KHL fear. I think the Wings need more NA players and especially Michigan kids to get the crowd more into it again while they are going through some (tough) rebuilding/tooling years. Ritchie to me seems - according to all reports on TSN ... - seems to be the perfect fit, big, physical and will grow even further. This is a very good draft position and I really pray Holalnd doesn't trade back just to pick two softish second rounders even if Ritchie is not available there are some other big bodies with skill.

Lundqvist really is something the guy just never panicks and is giving the opponent almost no room/time I love it. Usually I would like and pick the Rangers but I hate MSL so it's hard to root for them now. but man Moore would really really deserve all the luck in the world

The Problem with guys like Tootoo is, they aren't big enough to scare other tough-guys and overpaid for what they bring sadly. If he can act as some kind of a protector while McKee keeps adding musble in the AHL I'm fine with keeping him. There are enough tough decisions ahead for Ken Holland I don't think Tootoo is a difficult one. Fixing this horrendous defense is a tough task but man Niskanen would be nice. Add to that the buyout decision when it comes down to Franzen/Weiss and the much needed size and grit acquisitions Holland might be looking at his busiest summer since almost a decade. And that doesn't even include all the RFA's DeKeyser = MUST re-sign. I really liked Babcocks analysis of talking about the only veterans who will be back like Pasha, Z, Kronwall and Ericsson that's the way it should be all others can go and hopefully have a great career elsewhere. as for Boyle god please no, same goes for Timmonen also no to Alfie Wings have enough leadership and he simple can't bring it in the playoffs anymore. Thanks for the service and best of luck elsewhere

Exactly and like others and myself have already said, every cup-winner during the last years has had at least one tough guy.

Feel sorry for the Stars leading till the end and than they panicked nonetheless a great season for this young team and the Ducks won't make it far

No, the Hawks won't win it all again some California team or at the latest Boston is going to beat them.

I'm so disappointed they've lost AND had an opportunity to goon it up the season is over why not do it against the wannabe tough Hawks, damnit. If it comes down Hawks versus Avalanche I'd rather see the Avalanche advance..

disappointed the Blues could have at least lay down the toughness hammer on that ***** Hawks team

If I am Hitchcock and it's still 3:1 with 7 minutes to go I'd be doing the following: timeout and form a line of Jackman, Reaves, Sobotka and Backes tell them "FRESH MEAT TIME" destroy them physically now GO BLUES f*** it it's go Sharks or Kings in the West now

OK Reaves, Backes and Jackman go nasty after Seabrook and Keith and Bickel now

What happened to him? A guy like Chara and a certain far superior team named Bruins

He is a hockey player and a beast do for sure he will play through pain and injuries Man the Hawks need to score

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=450066 Seriously at what point does the league kick this guy out ? Does he have to seriously injure someone or even kill one ? At least it will be 5 games + if I'm Shanaban I'd be giving him 15 games´at least. Bordelau looked ready to absolutey kill him sadly the refs stepped in.

The KHL is only a problem when it comes down to Russians. I'm sure the monster will test UFA and look for a starting position somewhere, his hometown might also be a looking for a goaltender so plenty of options for him. Mrazek at this point is nothing more than a prospect with potential, nobody knows how he will do in the NHL so putting all the hope on him can also be a risky. And I firmly believe that goaltending isn't that big of a problem, Howard needs to be more consistent and whoever the backup will be needs to push for the starting position.

Defens wins championships and you build from the net out, therefore average forwards/great defense